Ikorodu climb top as Remo drop to 19th on NPFL
Elegbede Abiodun
The Sky Blue Stars sit 19th on 26 points, just one point above bottom-placed Kun Khalifat.
Ikorodu City moved to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table after a composed 2–0 home victory over Niger Tornadoes on matchday 25, while defending champions Remo Stars slipped to 19th following another damaging defeat.
At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Sunday, Ikorodu underlined their title credentials with a disciplined and controlled performance that extended their strong recent form and turned the stadium into what has increasingly become a fortress.
Joseph Arumala was the decisive figure, scoring both goals to lift the Oga Boys to 41 points, level with Rivers United and Nasarawa United but ahead on goal difference.
The hosts dominated the opening exchanges and were rewarded in the 33rd minute when Chidera Oparaocha was impeded in the penalty area.
Arumala stepped up and calmly converted to give Ikorodu a deserved lead before the break.
Tornadoes struggled to impose themselves as Ikorodu managed the game effectively after the interval, limiting the visitors to few clear chances.
Any lingering doubt was settled late on when Arumala struck again in the 88th minute, spinning away from his marker and drilling a low finish into the corner to complete his brace and seal the points.
The win reinforces Ikorodu’s status as genuine contenders for a place in the Champions League with second place Rivers United still level on point and with four games in hand.
While Ikorodu celebrated at the top, the picture was far bleaker for their South West rivals Remo Stars, whose difficult season continued with a 1–0 loss away to Kano Pillars.
Luis Dadong’s second-half strike proved decisive in Kano, consigning the champions to their 15th defeat of the campaign.
Despite goalkeeper Obassa Adebiyi saving a first-half penalty from Rabiu Ali, the Sky Blue Stars were unable to mount a recovery and now sit 19th on 26 points, just one point above bottom-placed Kun Khalifat.
Elsewhere, Khalifat boosted their survival hopes with a 2–0 victory over Shooting Stars, a result that followed days of uncertainty after the club initially announced a withdrawal from the league before reversing that decision.
Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers played out a goalless draw, while Plateau United edged Kwara United 1–0 courtesy of a late Sadiq Yusuf goal.
Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw, and Warri Wolves were held to a scoreless stalemate by El Kanemi Warriors.
Wikki Tourists and Katsina United drew 3–3 in a chaotic encounter in Bauchi that was eventually halted due to poor visibility, with the match set to resume from the 78th minute on Monday (today). Katsina will continue with 10 men following the dismissal of Uche Collins.
